Labeling apparatus and un-metered gluing mechanism therefor

ABSTRACT

An article labeling system including article supply means; an addressing machine with an article labeling head and structure for providing individual labels to the labeling head; and means for applying an adhesive to the individual labels.

United States Patent 11 1 Ernst et al. Feb. 25, 1975 LABELING APPARATUS AND [56] References Cited UN-METERED GLUING MECHANISM UNITED STATES PATENTS THEREFOR 1,196,914 9/1916 Weiss 118/221 Inventors; Richard J Ernst, Palatine; Trygye 1,423,282 Guelpen Rod, Mundelein both of 111 2,140,470 12/1938 Daneke 118/203 3,554,843 1/l97l Kirk et al.... 156/566 [73] Assignee: Xerox Corporation, Stamford, 3,752,114 8/1973 Knight 118/203 Conn. [22] Filed, Nov. 24, 1972 Primary Examiner-Douglas J. Drummond [21] Appl. No.: 309,563 ABSTRACT An article labeling system including article supply 1 Cl 1545/5158, means; an addressing machine with an article labeling 118/2 156/578 head and structure for providing individual labels to [51] Int. Cl. B65! 9/00, BOSC 1/00 the labeling head; and means for applying an adhesive [58] Field of Search 156/578, 548, 566, 567, to h i di id l l b l iiiillnm.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures LABELING APPARATUS AND UN-METERED GLUING MECHANISM THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an article labeling system and, more particularly, to an applicator for applying adhesive to individual labels to be affixed to articles such as envelopes, magazines, or the like.

In the automatic labeling of postal articles or the like, various methods and machines are known for imparting varying address information to a large number of like articles to be mailed. One such method involves feeding large numbers of unaddressed envelopes, magazines, newspapers or the like beneath a rotating transfer wheel carrying an individual label. The rotating wheel is oriented to receive and pneumatically hold previously printed labels and present the backside of the label to an adhesive applicator. Further rotation of the wheel brings the adhesive side of the label into contact with an article to be addressed to effect the transfer of the label from the wheel to the article. To assist such transfer the vacuum supply to the surface of the transfer wheel beneath the label is cut off during transfer.

In a conventional arrangement for applying the adhesive or glue to the label, an adhesive or glue wheel is rotatably supported so that it is partially immersed in an adhesive. Rotation of the glue wheel through the glue and into contact with the backside of the label is accomplished in synchronism with the rest of the components of the labeling apparatus. In applying a quantity of glue to the label it is both desirable and necessary that a proper amount of glue be applied to the label. If too little glue is applied, the labels wont adhere to the article and if too much is applied the glue oozes out from under the edges of the label when affixed to the article thereby creating various problems such as tacking of one article to another when they are processed in a superimposed relationship. Moreover, in the latter case, the labels become wrinkled and are thus unattractive and glue may be dislodged from the glue wheel at certain speeds of the wheel.

In prior art devices of the type described above, it is customary to provide doctoring means for the periphery of the glue wheelto control or meter the quantity of glue carried thereby and, therefore, presented to the labels. Such metering means requires precise adjustments to provide satisfactory results. Since apparatus of the type herein contemplated is usually operated by unskilled personnel, it is highly desirable to provide a system wherein precision adjustments are not required.

An additional consideration in glue applicators of the type described above is, the build-up of hardened glue on the glue wheel as a result of intermittent operation of the apparatus. During periods of time when the apparatus is not running, glue picked up by the glue wheel remains on portions of the wheel exposed to the atmosphere and the glue undergoes a drying process thereby requiring a manual operation for cleaning or removing the hardened glue.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the primary object of this invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for labeling articles such as envelopes, magazines, or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in an apparatus for labeling articles such as envelopes, magazines, or the like, a new and improved structure for applying adhesive to individual labels to be affixed to such articles.

A further object of this invention is to provide, for use in labeling apparatus, a new and improved glue applying structure wherein means is provided for insuring that a proper amount of glue is picked up by the glue applying structure.

A still further object of this invention is to provide, an apparatus for labeling articles such as envelopes. magazines or the like, a new and improved structure for applying adhesive to individual labels wherein means are included for removing dried adhesive from the adhesive applying structure.

These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by the provision of a glue wheel having a base portion and a plurality of radially extending lands. The glue wheel is partially immersed in adhesive and is supported for rotation such that the lands move through slots provided in a stationary scraper member. The physical dimensions of the lands and the slots in the scraper are such that the scraper removes excess glue adhering to the sides of the lands but not the peripheries thereof, the amount of glue adhering to the peripheries being controlled solely by the width of the peripheries.

The scraper is adjustably mounted relative to the glue wheel such that the penetration of the lands into the slots can be varied for the purpose of removing accumulated glue.

A pre-scraper is supported adjacent the peripheries of the lands and contacts same in a manner so as to scrape dry glue therefrom. The pre-scraper is disposed at a position such that its effect takes place prior to scraping and subsequent to application of the glue to the label.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a labeling system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a glue dispensing bottle forming a part of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of glue applying structure forming a part of the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the glue applying structure of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Referring to the drawings, there is shown an exemplary labeling head designated generally by the numeral 10 of the type used to apply labels 12 to articles such as envelopes 14. The labeling head 10 includes a rotatable wheel-like transfer member 16 carrying a radially projecting arcuate transfer shoe 17 on which individual labels 12 are brought into physical contact with the individual envelopes 14 passing therebelow on conveyor 18. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, suitable feeder means such as a feeder shuttle (not shown) is provided to feed the envelopes one at a time onto conveyor 18, movement of the aforesaid feeder shuttle, conveyor 18 and transfer wheel 14 being synchronized to assure proper contact and transfer of the label from transfer shoe 17 to the envelope being labeled. A back-up roll 19 is provided under conveyor l8 opposite transfer member 16 to support conveyor 18 at the transfer point.

Labels 12 are supplied to labeling head in the. form of an uncut sheet 20, sheet 20 having side margins 21 with punched holes to facilitate feeding in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 of the label sheet 20 to labeling head 10 and guillotine knife 22. It is understood that labeling head 10 includes suitable knife means (not shown) to remove margins 21 before the label sheet 20 reaches the knife 22.

Guillotine knife 22 which is driven up and down (i.e. along a line perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of FIG. 1) from shaft 24 by means of eccentrics 25 cuts label sheet 20 transversely of the direction of movement thereof, into strip-like segments 26 of uncut labels equal in number to the number of label rows 27.

Following cutting by guillotine knife 22 the label strips 26 drop down onto ramp 28 and are advanced therealong by pinch roll pair 29, 30 into the nip formed by knife and anvil roll pair 32, 33 respectively. There, knife blade 34 carried by roll 32 cuts individual labels from the strip 26, arcuate guide 35 being provided to route the labels downwardly to shoe 17 of transfer wheel 16.

Transfer wheel 16 is provided with suitable vacuum holddown means well known in the art which is effective to temporarily attach the individual labels 12 to the periphery of the shoe 17 for transporting by shoe 17 into contact with the envelopes 14 carried therebelow on conveyor 18. A vacuum control valve (not shown) which is internal to the transfer member 16 functions to first provide communication of a portable vacuum source with the shoe 17 in time for shoe 17 to pick off a cut label discharged from knife and anvil roll pair 32, 33 and thereafter interrupt the communication of the vacuum source to thereby release the label so that the label can be transferred by pressure to the envelope 14 being labeled.

In the arrangement shown, labels 12 are physically transferred or adhered to envelopes 14, in this instance by gluing. In this operation the underside of labels 12 are coated with glue as they are transported by shoe 17 of transfer member 16 into transfer relationship with the envelopes being labeled. For this purpose, glue dispensing roller is disposed opposite transfer wheel 16, the disposition of roller 40 being such that the periphery thereof has roller contact with the periphery of transfer wheel shoe 17 as shoe 17 rotates therepast. Although not specifically shown, the shoe 17 is undercut in areas immediately adjacent to wheel 40 to avoid deposit of adhesive on the surface of shoe 17. In this manner, adhesive is applied to the labels 12.

Glue or adhesive dispensing wheel 40, to be discussed hereinafter in detail, is supported in driven shaft 41 with the lower portion thereof disposed within glue sump or box 42, shaft 41 being supported by means of suitable brackets (not shown) from the sides 43 of the sump 42. The shaft 41 is driven by suitable drive means (not shown) at a speed relative to the transfer member 16 such that the tangential speeds of the roller 40 and the shoe 17 are equal. Preferably, the glue wheel 40 is fabricated from metal.

The glue sump 42 comprises a generally rectangular partially open-topped container mounted on the labeling head 10 by means of stud 44. A glue scraper, to be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, is provided to control the quantity and disposition of glue on portions of the dispensing wheel 40.

To maintain an adequate supply of liquid glue for dispensing wheel 40 the glue supply container herein disclosed as a bottle 50 is provided. Bottle 50 as best shown in FIG. 2 has a discharge spout 52 projecting therefrom, spout 52 being inserted through an opening in the top of the glue sump 42. i

The lower end of glue bottle 50 includes a refill opening (not shown) with removable sealing cover 67 being provided therefor. The spout 52 is adjustably retained within the bottle cap or cover 67 by means of an outer nut 64 and an inner nut (not shown).

In use, labels picked off by transfer wheel shoe 17 from' anvil and knife pair 32, 33 are brought into contact with dispensing glue wheel 40 which serves to apply a suitable adhesive thereto. The labels are thereafter transferred to the envelopes 40, the glue serving to affix the labels onto the envelope. Suitable adhesives, for example, comprise a vegetable or synthetic resin base, diluted with water, such adhesives being well known in the art.

The continued dispensing of glue from sump 42 by wheel 40 onto the labels 12, reduces the level or supply of glue in sump 42. On a reduction of glue level in sump 42 below the end of dispensing spout 52 of bottle 50, the spout 52 is opened to the atmosphere enabling glue to be discharged from bottle 50 through spout 52 into sump 42. As the level of glue in sump 42 rises, communication of the end of spout 52 with the atmosphere is cutoff to terminate the further discharge of glue therethrough.

Referring now to FIG. 3, wherein there is shown a top plan view of the adhesive dispensing wheel 40 along with the components associated therewith for supplying a proper amount of adhesive to individual labels 12. The wheel 40 comprises a base portion 68 having a plurality of radially extending lands each having side walls 69, 69 and a peripheral portion 71. The thickness of each of the lands 70 is small compared to the radial extent thereof and is preferably on the order of 0.028 to 0.032 inch. The wheel 40 is supported by the shaft 41 such that portions of the lands are immersed in adhesive contained in the sump 42. As the wheel rotates, glue adheres to the peripheral portions of the lands as well as the sides thereof.

A scraper 72 supported in the sump 42 at a fixed location relative to the glue wheel 40 during normal operation thereof serves to remove excess glue from the sides of the land 70. To this end, the scraper 72 is provided with a plurality of slots 74 each having side walls 73, 73' and a bottom wall 75 into which the land 70 extend during rotation. During normal operation of the glue wheel 40, the bottoms 75 of the slots 74 are spaced about one-sixteenth of an inch from the peripheral portions 71 of the land associated therewith. Each slot is a one-fourth inch long and between 0.034 to 0.040 inch wide. The scraper 72 may be fabricated from any suitable material, for example, nylon.

A pre-scraper 76 stationarily supported in the glue sump 42 sub-adjacent the glue wheel 40 contacts the periphery of the lands 70 in a manner so as to effect a chiseling action to thereby constantly clean all hardened glue from the periphery of the glue wheel 40. The pro-scraper 76 may comprise any suitable material, for example, Nylatron which is a trademark of Polymer Corporation and is commercially available. The prescraper is positioned in the sump 42 so that when the sump is installed, the glue wheel 40 deflects at about one-sixteenth of an inch to thereby provide a biasing force which maintains the pre-scraper in engagement with the peripheries of the lands.

While the scraper 72 is supported in the fixed location relative to the glue wheel 40 during normal opera tion thereof, it is also supported for movement relative to the glue wheel 40, such movement being accomplished by means of a cam member 78 adapted for actuation by rotation of an adjustment knob 80. Pivoted movement of the scraper about support pin 82 causes movement thereof toward the glue wheel 40. Such movement is accomplished while the former is rotating to thereby clean the slots 74 of any accumulation of hardened glue.

A plurality of label strippers 83 prevent labels carried by the wheel-like member 16 from being rewound therefrom by the glue on the glue wheel 40. The surface tension of the glue could cause such removal except for the strippers 83.

While the invention has been described with reference to the structure disclosed herein, it is not intended that it be confined to the details set forth, and this application is intended to cover such modifications or changes which come within the scope of the following claims:

What is claimed is:

l. A glue applicator suitable for use with labeling apparatus including a feed mechanism for transporting articles to be labeled, an addressing head with a rotating transfer wheel for carrying an individual label from a source of printed labels to the glue applicator and subsequently to an area where the label is transferred to the article to be addressed, the glue applicator comprising:

a glue container for holding a quantity of glue material;

a glue applying member rotatably supported by said container, said glue member comprising:

a base portion having at least one radially extending member having side walls and a peripheral portion partially immersed in glue in said container,

a scraper member having at least one slot delineated by a pair of side walls and a bottom wall through which said at least one radially extending member passes whereby the side walls delineating said slot remove excess glue from the side walls, said peripheral portion being spaced from said bottom wall;

means for rotating the glue applying member; and

a pre-scraper coupled to the glue container and biased against the peripheral portion for continuously removing hardened glue therefrom when the glue applying member is rotated, whereby the relative velocity between wet glue on the peripheral portion on the glue applying member and the periphery of the transfer wheel is not affected by hardened glue.

. 2. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said width dimension is on the order of 0.028 to 0.032 inch.

3. Structure according to claim 2 wherein said peripheral portion is spaced from said bottom wall at least one-sixteenth of an inch.

4. Structure according to claim 1 wherein one of said members is supported such that it can be moved relative to the other of said members such that the spacing between said peripheral portion and said bottom wall may be decreased whereby hardened glue accumulated in said slot is removed during rotation of said glue applying member.

5. Structure according to claim 4 wherein said glue applying member comprises a plurality of radially extending members and said scraper comprises a plurality of slots.

6. Structure according to claim 5 wherein the prescraper is biased against an immersed section of the peripheral portion. 

1. A glue applicator suitable for use with labeling apparatus including a feed mechanism for transporting articles to be labeled, an addressing head with a rotating transfer wheel for carrying an individual label from a source of printed labels to the glue applicator and subsequently to an area where the label is transferred to the article to be addressed, the glue applicator comprising: a glue container for holding a quantity of glue material; a glue applying member rotatably supported by said container, said glue member cOmprising: a base portion having at least one radially extending member having side walls and a peripheral portion partially immersed in glue in said container, a scraper member having at least one slot delineated by a pair of side walls and a bottom wall through which said at least one radially extending member passes whereby the side walls delineating said slot remove excess glue from the side walls, said peripheral portion being spaced from said bottom wall; means for rotating the glue applying member; and a pre-scraper coupled to the glue container and biased against the peripheral portion for continuously removing hardened glue therefrom when the glue applying member is rotated, whereby the relative velocity between wet glue on the peripheral portion on the glue applying member and the periphery of the transfer wheel is not affected by hardened glue.
 2. Structure according to claim 1 wherein said width dimension is on the order of 0.028 to 0.032 inch.
 3. Structure according to claim 2 wherein said peripheral portion is spaced from said bottom wall at least one-sixteenth of an inch.
 4. Structure according to claim 1 wherein one of said members is supported such that it can be moved relative to the other of said members such that the spacing between said peripheral portion and said bottom wall may be decreased whereby hardened glue accumulated in said slot is removed during rotation of said glue applying member.
 5. Structure according to claim 4 wherein said glue applying member comprises a plurality of radially extending members and said scraper comprises a plurality of slots.
 6. Structure according to claim 5 wherein the pre-scraper is biased against an immersed section of the peripheral portion. 